Bicycle wheel securing structure

ABSTRACT

A bicycle wheel securing structure includes a bicycle fork, an adapter and a holding member. The bicycle fork has two axle support portions that are spaced apart for receiving a bicycle hub therebetween. The adapter is disposed in an adapter receiving bore in one of the axle support portions. The adapter includes a threaded axle mounting opening. The holding member is operatively coupled between the adapter and the one of the axle support portions with the adapter. The holding member prevents both rotational movement of the adapter with respect to the bicycle fork and axial movement of the adapter with respect to the bicycle fork along an axis of the axle mounting opening when the holding member is in a retaining position. The adapter is rotatable within the adapter receiving bore without moving axially with respect to the bicycle fork when the holding member is in a releasing position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/268,469 filed on Nov. 11, 2008. The entire disclosure ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/268,469 is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a connection between a bicycle forkand a wheel securing axle of a bicycle hub. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a bicycle wheel securing structure used toattach the wheel securing axle of the bicycle hub to the bicycle fork.

2. Background Information

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation aswell as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a verypopular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whetherthe bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, thebicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of thebicycle.

A bicycle is generally provided with a frame and a front fork that ispivotally connected to a front end portion of the frame. The front forkbasically includes a fork stem, a fork crown and a pair of fork legs.The two fork legs are arranged on opposite sides of the front wheel withthe tip end portions of the fork legs being connected to a front hubarranged on the rotational center of the front wheel. The fork crown isconnected to the upper end portions (i.e., opposite ends from the tipend portions) of the fork legs. The fork stem is connected to the forkcrown, and is arranged to extend upwardly form the fork crown. The forkstem is supported on the front end portion of the frame in a freelyrotatable manner. In some cases, the front fork is a suspension forkwith each of the fork legs including an upper or inner tube and a loweror outer tube that is telescopically arranged with the upper tube. Therear part of the frame has a similar rear fork that is not pivotal likethe front fork. The rear fork can be fixed to the frame (i.e. a hardtail type) to form the rear triangle of the frame or can be a suspensiontype rear fork attached to the frame.

Typically, the lower tip ends of the forks are provided with dropouts(open ended slots) for attaching the wheels. In the past, the ends ofthe hub axles were inserted into the dropouts (open ended slots) andthen fastened with nuts. However, since bicycle wheels often need to beremoved from the frame, e.g., whenever there is a flat tire or a need totransport the bicycle in an automobile, wheel securing mechanisms weredeveloped in order to facilitate easier removal and reinstallation ofthe wheels. A typical wheel securing device includes a skewer with athreaded end having a wheel securing member mounted at the other end.The wheel securing member includes a base with a lever and a camstructure. A nut is detachably threaded onto the threaded end of theskewer after the skewer is inserted through the hub body. The forkflanges are arranged between the base of the wheel securing member andthe hub body and between the nut and the hub body, respectively. Thus,the hub can be attached by clamping the fork flanges using the wheelsecuring lever.

While these typical wheel securing mechanisms generally work well, atighter connection between the hub and the frame has been in demand forsome riders. Thus, bicycle hubs and bicycle forks have been designedsuch that an axle of the hub is threadedly attached directly to thebicycle fork. An example of this type of arrangement on a front hub andfront fork is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,675. With this type ofarrangement, a knob is provided on the end of the hub axle opposite thethreaded end. The knob is used to rotate the axle during installation toboth tighten the axle to the front fork and to clamp one fork flangebetween the knob and the hub. With this type of hub, a tighterconnection between the hub and the front fork is possible as compared totypical wheel securing hubs. However, because of this tighterconnection, it is necessary to make the front fork stronger.

In view of the above conventional technology, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a needfor an improved connection between a fork and a wheel securing axle of ahub. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as otherneeds, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure.

SUMMARY

One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheelsecuring structure, which utilizes a removable adapter that is preventedfrom moving axially with respect to a bicycle fork once attachedthereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheelsecuring structure, which can provide a strong connection between abicycle fork and a wheel securing axle of a bicycle hub.

The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicyclewheel securing structure, which comprises a bicycle fork, an adapter anda holding member. The bicycle fork has a pair of axle support portionsthat are spaced apart to receive a bicycle hub therebetween and with oneof the axle support portions having an adapter receiving bore. Theadapter is disposed in the adapter receiving bore in one of the axlesupport portions. The adapter includes a threaded axle mounting openingand an outer circumferential surface that is rotatably adjustable withinthe adapter receiving bore to one of a plurality of predeterminedorientations. The holding member is operatively coupled between theadapter and the one of the axle support portions with the adapter. Theholding member is selectively movable between a retaining position and areleasing position. The holding member prevents both rotational movementof the adapter with respect to the bicycle fork and axial movement ofthe adapter with respect to the bicycle fork along an axis of the axlemounting opening when the holding member is in the retaining position.The adapter is rotatable within the adapter receiving bore withoutmoving axially with respect to the bicycle fork when the holding memberis in the releasing position.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle using a bicycle wheelsecuring structure in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial front elevational view of the wheelsecuring structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the wheel securing structureillustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a slightly enlarged, partial longitudinal cross sectional viewof the front hub and the wheel securing structure illustrated in FIGS. 2and 3, as seen along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of the front hub and thewheel securing structure illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the wheelsecuring structure illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one end of the wheel securing structureillustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the end of the wheel securingstructure illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one end of the wheel securing structurein accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the end of the wheel securingstructure, illustrated in FIG. 9, in accordance with the secondembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one end of the wheel securing structurein accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the end of the wheel securingstructure, illustrated in FIG. 11, in accordance with the thirdembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a of one end of the wheel securingstructure in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the end of the wheel securingstructure, illustrated in FIG. 13, in accordance with the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a of one end of the wheelsecuring structure in accordance with a fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the end of the wheel securingstructure, illustrated in FIG. 15, in accordance with the fifthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the following descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration onlyand not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bicycle 10 is illustrated inthat uses a wheel securing structure 12 in accordance with a firstembodiment. The bicycle 10 basically includes, among other things, amain frame 14, a front suspension fork 16, a front wheel 18, a rearwheel 20, a handlebar 22 and a drive train 24. The front wheel 18 isattached the front fork 16 using the wheel securing structure 12 inaccordance with the first embodiment, as explained below. Otherwise, thebicycle 10 and its various components are conventional. Moreover, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from thisdisclosure that various modifications can be made to the bicycle 10 andits components without departing from the present invention. Forexample, the rear triangle portion of the main frame 14 can be connectedto the rear wheel 20 in the same manner as the connection between thefront fork 16 and the front wheel 18. Also the wheel securing structure12 can be applied to a non-suspension front fork and/or to a rearsuspension type bicycle frame.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the front wheel 18 basically includes a fronthub 30, a rim 32 and a plurality of tension spokes 34 extending betweenthe front hub 30 and the rim 32. A tire is mounted on the rim 32 in aconventional manner. The structure of the front wheel 18 is not criticalto the present invention, and thus, will not be discussed and/orillustrated in detail herein, except as necessary to understand thepresent invention. Specifically, only the front hub 30 will be brieflydiscussed to understand the connection of the front hub 30 to the frontfork 16.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the front hub 30 basically includes a tubularhub axle 36, a wheel securing axle 38, a pair of bearing units 40 and ahub shell 42. The hub shell 42 is rotatably supported on the tubular hubaxle 36 via the bearing units 40. The wheel securing axle 38 extendsthrough the tubular hub axle 36 and fixes the tubular hub axle 36 to thefront fork 16 so that the hub shell 42 can rotate about the tubular hubaxle 36 on the bearing units 40. In particular, the wheel securing axle38 has a shaft or skewer 44 that extends through the tubular hub axle36. One end of the skewer 44 has an external thread 46, while the otherend of the skewer 44 has a cam lever 48 pivotally mounted thereto by asteel cam (not shown) and a cam cap 50 that surrounds the cam of the camlever 48. The cam cap 50 is the part of the wheel securing axle 38 thatmoves axially back and forth relative to the skewer 44 when the camlever 48 is moved between a release or open position (not shown) and aclamping or closed position in a conventional manner. In the illustratedembodiment, the skewer 44 is a two-part member having an outer shaft 52and an inner shaft 54 threadedly attached within an internal bore of theouter shaft 52. In this embodiment, the cam lever 48 and the cam cap 50are attached to a free end of the inner shaft 54 that extends out of theinternal bore of the outer shaft 52. A retaining member 56 such as arivet, a press pin (shown) or a bolt (not shown) extends transverselythrough holes formed in the outer and inner shafts 52 and 54 to preventrotational movement of the inner shaft 54 relative to the outer shaft 52when the retaining member 56 is disposed in the transverse holes, asbest understood from FIG. 4. Since the outer and inner shafts 52 and 54are threadedly coupled together, axial movement of the inner shaft 54relative to the outer shaft 52 is prevented when relative rotation isprevented. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in thebicycle art from this disclosure that the skewer 44 illustrated hereinis merely one example of many possible structures that could be utilizedas needed and/or desired. The outer shaft 52 preferably has an O-ring 58mounted in an annular groove adjacent the external thread 46.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the front fork 16 is rotatably mounted toa head tube in a front part of the main frame 14, and is used to steerthe front wheel 18. As seen in FIG. 2, the front fork 16 basicallyincludes a fork stem or steerer tube 60, a fork crown 62 and a pair offork legs 64 and 66. The fork legs 64 and 66 are arranged on oppositesides of the front wheel 18 with the tip end portions of the fork legs64 and 66 being connected to the front hub 30 that is arranged on therotational center of the front wheel 18. In the illustrated embodiment,the front fork 16 is a suspension fork in which the fork leg 64 includesan upper or inner tube 68 and a lower or outer tube 70 that istelescopically arranged with the upper tube 68, while the fork leg 66includes an upper or inner tube 72 and a lower or outer tube 74 that istelescopically arranged with the upper tube 72. The fork crown 62 isconnected to the upper ends of the upper tubes 68 and 72 (i.e., oppositeends from the tip end of the lower tubes 70 and 74) of the fork legs 64and 66. The fork stem 60 is connected to the fork crown 62, and isarranged to extend upwardly form the fork crown 62. The fork stem 60 issupported on the front end portion of the main frame 14 in a freelyrotatable manner. The lower tip end portions of the fork legs 64 and 66constitute a pair of axle support portions that are spaced apart toreceive the front hub 30.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8, the lower end of the outer tube 70 of the(first) fork leg 64 includes a first axle mounting opening or bore 76receives the skewer 44 therethrough. Specifically, the axle mountingbore 76 is sized to slidably receive the outer shaft 52. The lower endof the outer tube 74 of the (second) fork leg 66 includes a second axlemounting opening or bore 80 for securing the skewer 44 thereto. The axlemounting bore 80 has a step-shaped configuration with an enlargedsection 80 a and a reduced section 80 b, each of which are unthreaded.The enlarged section 80 a of the outer tube 74 (e.g., the axle supportportion) constitutes an adapter receiving bore of the bicycle fork 16.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, a wheel securing adapter 82 is secured in theenlarged section 80 a of the axle mounting bore 80 by a threadedfastener 84 in a releasable and reinstallable manner. The threadedfastener 84 constitutes a holding member that prevents both rotationalmovement of the wheel securing adapter 82 with respect to the bicyclefork 16 and axial movement of the wheel securing adapter 82 with respectto the bicycle fork 16 along an axis of the axle mounting bore 80 whenthe threaded fastener 84 (e.g., the holding member) is in a retainingposition. The threaded fastener 84 (e.g., the holding member) isselectively movable between the retaining position and a releasingposition by threading the threaded fastener 84 into or out of a threadedhole 85 in the outer tube 74 (e.g., the axle support portion). Thus, thethreaded fastener 84 (e.g., the holding member) is operatively coupledbetween the wheel securing adapter 82 and the outer tube 74 (e.g., theaxle support portion) to selectively hold the wheel securing adapter 82in a predetermined orientations with respect to the outer tube 74 (e.g.,the axle support portion).

The wheel securing adapter 82 is preferably a one-piece, unitary memberthat is formed of a hard rigid material. Preferably, the material of thewheel securing adapter 82 is harder than the material of the outer tube74 of the fork leg 66. Thus, if the wheel securing adapter 82 becomesdamaged, the wheel securing adapter 82 can be replaced without replacingthe front fork 16, which is sometimes necessary with prior artconnections. The wheel securing adapter 82 includes a threaded axlemounting opening 86 and an outer circumferential surface 88 that isrotatably adjustable within the enlarged section 80 a (e.g., the adapterreceiving bore) of the (second) fork leg 66.

In this embodiment, the threaded fastener 84 (e.g., the holding member)includes a bolt with a threaded shaft 84 a and an enlarged head 84 b.The threaded shaft 84 a of the bolt constitutes an attachment portion ofthe holding member. The enlarged head 84 b constitutes an engagementportion of the holding member. The threaded shaft 84 a is removablyattached to the bicycle fork by threading into the threaded hole 85 inthe outer tube 74.

The outer circumferential surface 88 of the wheel securing adapter 82includes a plurality of recesses 90 with the threaded fastener 84 (e.g.,the holding member) being engagable with the recesses 90 to selectivelyhold the wheel securing adapter 82 in one of a plurality ofpredetermined orientations based on which one of the recesses 90 isengaged with the threaded fastener 84 (e.g., the holding member). Therecesses 90 can be radially extending bores that extend from the outercircumferential surface 88 to the threaded axle mounting opening 86, ifneeded and/or desired.

Since the outer circumferential surface 88 of the wheel securing adapter82 is cylindrical without any splines or threads along an entire axiallength of the outer circumferential surface 88, the wheel securingadapter 82 is freely rotatable within the enlarged section 80 a (e.g.,the adapter receiving bore) of the (second) fork leg 66 without movingaxially with respect to the front fork 16, when the threaded fastener 84(e.g., the holding member) is in the releasing position. The threadedfastener 84 has a center axis that is radially arranged with respect tothe axis of the threaded axle mounting opening 86.

The threaded fastener 84 (e.g., the holding member) is selectivelymovable between the retaining position and a releasing position bythreading the threaded fastener 84 into or out of a threaded hole 85 inthe outer tube 74 (e.g., the axle support portion). Thus, the threadedfastener 84 (e.g., the holding member) remains attached to the outertube 74 (e.g., the axle support portion) in both of the retaining andreleasing positions. When the threaded fastener 84 is fully installedinto the threaded hole 85 in the outer tube 74 and the wheel securingadapter 82 is fully installed within the enlarged section 80 a (e.g.,the adapter receiving bore) of the (second) fork leg 66, the tip end ofthe shaft of the threaded fastener 84 engages one of the recesses 90 ofthe wheel securing adapter 82 to prevent relative rotational and axialmovements of the wheel securing adapter 82 with respect to the (second)fork leg 66.

The wheel securing adapter 82 can be installed, removed and reinstalledwithout damaging the lower end of the outer tube 74 of the fork leg 66,and the wheel securing adapter 82 can be axially retained in the axlemounting bore 80 even when the wheel securing adapter 82 is not attachedto the skewer 44. The reduced section 80 b receives the skewer 44therethrough, and is sized to support the skewer 44. In the illustratedembodiment, the axle mounting bore 80 has a circular shape as viewedalong the center axis thereof.

The threaded axle mounting opening 86 of the wheel securing adapter 82threadedly engages the external thread 46 of the end of the skewer 44 ofthe wheel securing axle 38 to secure the tubular hub axle 36 of thefront hub 30 to the outer tube 74 of the fork leg 66.

Once the wheel securing adapter 82 is fully installed within theenlarged section 80 a (e.g., the adapter receiving bore) of the (second)fork leg 66, the threaded fastener 84 (e.g., the holding member) is canbe installed to prevent rotation of the wheel securing adapter 82. Ifthe starting thread position of the wheel securing adapter 82 needs tobe adjusted (i.e., to adjust the final position of the cam lever 48),then the threaded fastener 84 can be partially unthreaded so that thetip end of the shaft of the threaded fastener 84 is retracted from oneof the recesses 90 of the wheel securing adapter 82 to allow forrelative rotational movement of the wheel securing adapter 82 withrespect to the (second) fork leg 66.

After the wheel securing axle 38 is rotated to the desired finalrotational position, the threaded fastener 84 is threaded so that thetip end of the shaft of the threaded fastener 84 engages one of therecesses 90 of the wheel securing adapter 82 to prevent relativerotational movement of the wheel securing adapter 82 with respect to the(second) fork leg 66. If the thread starting position of the wheelsecuring adapter needs to be adjusted again later, the threaded fastener84 should again be removed (or retracted) so that the wheel securingadapter 82 can be rotated. Accordingly, because the wheel securingadapter 82 is freely rotatable within the enlarged section 80 a of thefork leg 66 without moving axially with respect to the front fork 16when the threaded fastener 84 is in the releasing position, it ispossible to prevent the adapter 82 from undesirably projecting from thelaterally outermost surface of the lower end of the outer tube 74 whenthe adapter 82 is rotated for adjustment.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a modified wheel securing structure 112in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. The wheelsecuring structure 112 of this second embodiment basically includes amodified outer tube 174, a modified wheel securing adapter 182, and amodified threaded fastener 184. The wheel securing adapter 182 is aone-piece, unitary member that is formed of a hard rigid material.Preferably, the material of the wheel securing adapter 182 is harderthan the material of the outer tube 174. The outer tube 174 isincorporated into the front fork 16 of the first embodiment by replacingthe outer tube 74 of the first embodiment in the front fork 16 with theouter tube 174. Thus, the rest of the parts of the front fork 16illustrated in the first embodiment are used with this embodiment.

The lower end of the outer tube 174 of the fork leg of the front fork 16includes an axle mounting opening or bore 180. The axle mounting bore180 receives the wheel securing adapter 182 for securing the skewer 44of the hub 30 of the first embodiment thereto in the same manner as thefirst embodiment, but using the wheel securing adapter 182 instead ofthe wheel securing adapter 82. The axle mounting bore 180 has astep-shaped configuration with an enlarged section 180 a and a reducedsection 180 b, each of which are unthreaded. The enlarged section 180 aof the outer tube 174 (e.g., the axle support portion) constitutes anadapter receiving bore of the bicycle fork 16. An abutment surface 180 cis formed between the sections 180 a and 180 b to limit axial movementof the wheel securing adapter 182 towards the other fork leg of thefront fork 16.

The wheel securing adapter 182 is secured in the enlarged section 180 aof the axle mounting bore 180 by the threaded fastener 184 in areleasable and reinstallable manner. The threaded fastener 184constitutes a holding member. The threaded fastener 184 (e.g., theholding member) prevents both rotational movement of the wheel securingadapter 182 with respect to the bicycle fork 16 and axial movement ofthe wheel securing adapter 182 with respect to the bicycle fork 16 alongan axis of the axle mounting bore 180 when the threaded fastener 184(e.g., the holding member) is in a retaining position. The threadedfastener 184 (e.g., the holding member) is selectively movable betweenthe retaining position and a releasing position by threading thethreaded fastener 184 into or out of a threaded hole 185 in the outertube 174 (e.g., the axle support portion). Thus, the threaded fastener184 (e.g., the holding member) is operatively coupled between the wheelsecuring adapter 182 and the outer tube 174 (e.g., the axle supportportion) to selectively hold the wheel securing adapter 182 in apredetermined orientations with respect to the outer tube 174 (e.g., theaxle support portion).

The wheel securing adapter 182 includes a threaded axle mounting opening186 and an outer circumferential surface 188 that is rotatablyadjustable within the enlarged section 180 a (e.g., the adapterreceiving bore) of the outer tube 174 (e.g., the axle support portion).In this embodiment, the wheel securing adapter 182 has an axial end facewith an axially projecting part 189 extending axially from the axial endface of the wheel securing adapter 182. The axially projecting part 189has a plurality of recesses 190. The threaded fastener 184 (e.g., theholding member) engages the recesses 190 (i.e., one at a time) toselectively hold the wheel securing adapter 182 in one of a plurality ofpredetermined orientations based on which one of the recesses 190 isengaged with the threaded fastener 184 (e.g., the holding member).

In this embodiment, the threaded fastener 184 (e.g., the holding member)includes a bolt with a threaded shaft 184 a and an enlarged head 184 b.The threaded shaft 184 a of the bolt constitutes an attachment portionof the holding member. The enlarged head 184 b constitutes an engagementportion of the holding member. The threaded shaft 184 a is removablyattached to the bicycle fork by threading into the threaded hole 185 inthe outer tube 174.

Since the outer circumferential surface 188 of the wheel securingadapter 182 is cylindrical without any splines or threads along anentire axial length of the outer circumferential surface 188, the wheelsecuring adapter 182 is freely rotatable within the enlarged section 180a (e.g., the adapter receiving bore) without moving axially with respectto the front fork 16, when the threaded fastener 184 (e.g., the holdingmember) is in the releasing position.

When the threaded fastener 184 is in the retaining position, theenlarged head 184 b (e.g., the engagement portion) of the threadedfastener 284 (e.g., the holding member) engages the axial end face ofthe wheel securing adapter 182 to prevent the axial movement of thewheel securing adapter 182. Also when the threaded fastener 184 is inthe retaining position, the enlarged head 184 b (e.g., the engagementportion) of the threaded fastener 284 (e.g., the holding member) engagesone of the circumferentially spaced recesses 190 of the axiallyprojecting part 189 of the wheel securing adapter 182 to prevent therotational movement of the wheel securing adapter 182. In particular,the enlarged head 184 b is selectively received in the recesses 190 ofthe axially projecting part 189 to prevent the rotational movement ofthe wheel securing adapter 182.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, a modified wheel securing structure212 in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. Thewheel securing structure 212 of this third embodiment basically includesa modified outer tube 274, a modified wheel securing adapter 282, and amodified threaded fastener 284. The wheel securing adapter 282 is aone-piece, unitary member that is formed of a hard rigid material.Preferably, the material of the wheel securing adapter 282 is harderthan the material of the outer tube 274. The outer tube 274 isincorporated into the front fork 16 of the first embodiment by replacingthe outer tube 74 of the first embodiment in the front fork 16 with theouter tube 274. Thus, the rest of the parts of the front fork 16illustrated in the first embodiment are used with this embodiment.

The lower end of the outer tube 274 of the fork leg of the front fork 16includes an axle mounting opening or bore 280. The axle mounting bore280 receives the wheel securing adapter 282 for securing the skewer 44of the hub 30 of the first embodiment thereto in the same manner as thefirst embodiment, but using the wheel securing adapter 282 instead ofthe wheel securing adapter 82. The axle mounting bore 280 has astep-shaped configuration with an enlarged section 280 a and a reducedsection 280 b, each of which are unthreaded. The enlarged section 280 aof the outer tube 274 (e.g., the axle support portion) constitutes anadapter receiving bore of the bicycle fork 16. An abutment surface 280 cis formed between the sections 280 a and 280 b to limit axial movementof the wheel securing adapter 282 towards the other fork leg of thefront fork 16.

The wheel securing adapter 282 is secured in the enlarged section 280 aof the axle mounting bore 280 by the threaded fastener 284 in areleasable and reinstallable manner. The threaded fastener 284constitutes a holding member. The threaded fastener 284 (e.g., theholding member) prevents both rotational movement of the wheel securingadapter 282 with respect to the bicycle fork 16 and axial movement ofthe wheel securing adapter 282 with respect to the bicycle fork 16 alongan axis of the axle mounting bore 280 when the threaded fastener 284(e.g., the holding member) is in a retaining position. The threadedfastener 284 (e.g., the holding member) is selectively movable betweenthe retaining position and a releasing position by threading thethreaded fastener 284 into or out of a threaded hole 285 in the outertube 274 (e.g., the axle support portion). Thus, the threaded fastener284 (e.g., the holding member) is operatively coupled between the wheelsecuring adapter 282 and the outer tube 274 (e.g., the axle supportportion) to selectively hold the wheel securing adapter 282 in apredetermined orientations with respect to the outer tube 274 (e.g., theaxle support portion).

In this embodiment, the threaded fastener 284 (e.g., the holding member)includes a bolt with a threaded shaft 284 a and an enlarged head 284 b.The threaded fastener 284 (e.g., the holding member) also includes awasher 284 c positioned on the threaded shaft 284 a of the bolt. Thethreaded shaft 284 a of the bolt constitutes an attachment portion ofthe holding member. A portion of the threaded shaft 284 a and the washer284 c constitutes an engagement portion of the holding member.

The wheel securing adapter 282 includes a threaded axle mounting opening286 and an outer circumferential surface 288 that is rotatablyadjustable within the enlarged section 280 a (e.g., the adapterreceiving bore) of the outer tube 274 (e.g., the axle support portion).In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 288 of the wheelsecuring adapter 282 has a plurality of grooves or recesses 290. Thethreaded fastener 284 (e.g., the holding member) selectively engages therecesses 290 (i.e., one at a time) to selectively hold the wheelsecuring adapter 282 in one of a plurality of predetermined orientationsbased on which one of the recesses 290 is engaged with the threadedfastener 284 (e.g., the holding member). In particular, when thethreaded fastener 284 is in the retaining position, the washer 284 c(e.g., a part of the engagement portion) of the threaded fastener 284(e.g., the holding member) engages the axial end face of the wheelsecuring adapter 282 to prevent the axial movement of the wheel securingadapter 282 and a portion of the threaded shaft 284 a (e.g., a part ofthe engagement portion) of the threaded fastener 284 (e.g., the holdingmember) engages one of the circumferentially spaced recesses 290 of theaxially projecting part 289 of the wheel securing adapter 282 to preventthe rotational movement of the wheel securing adapter 282. Thus, in thisembodiment, a portion of the threaded shaft 284 a (e.g., a part of theengagement portion) of the threaded fastener 284 (e.g., the holdingmember) engages one of the recesses of the adapter to prevent therotational movement of the adapter, and an engagement portion thatengages the axial end face of the adapter to prevent the axial movementof the adapter. Since the outer circumferential surface 288 of the wheelsecuring adapter 282 does not engage the inner profile of the axlemounting bore 280, the wheel securing adapter 282 is freely rotatablewithin the enlarged section 280 a (e.g., the adapter receiving bore)without moving axially with respect to the front fork 16, when thethreaded fastener 284 (e.g., the holding member) is in the releasingposition.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a modified wheel securing structure312 in accordance with a fourth embodiment will now be explained. Thewheel securing structure 312 of this fourth embodiment basicallyincludes a modified outer tube 374, a modified wheel securing adapter382, and a modified threaded fastener 384. The wheel securing adapter382 is a one-piece, unitary member that is formed of a hard rigidmaterial. Preferably, the material of the wheel securing adapter 382 isharder than the material of the outer tube 374. The outer tube 374 isincorporated into the front fork 16 of the first embodiment by replacingthe outer tube 74 of the first embodiment in the front fork 16 with theouter tube 374. Thus, the rest of the parts of the front fork 16illustrated in the first embodiment are used with this embodiment.

The lower end of the outer tube 374 of the fork leg of the front fork 16includes an axle mounting opening or bore 380. The axle mounting bore380 receives the wheel securing adapter 382 for securing the skewer 44of the hub 30 of the first embodiment thereto in the same manner as thefirst embodiment, but using the wheel securing adapter 382 instead ofthe wheel securing adapter 82. The axle mounting bore 380 has astep-shaped configuration with an enlarged section 380 a and a reducedsection 380 b, each of which are unthreaded. The enlarged section 380 aof the outer tube 374 (e.g., the axle support portion) constitutes anadapter receiving bore of the bicycle fork 16. An abutment surface 380 cis formed between the sections 380 a and 380 b to limit axial movementof the wheel securing adapter 382 towards the other fork leg of thefront fork 16.

The wheel securing adapter 382 is secured in the enlarged section 380 aof the axle mounting bore 380 by the threaded fastener 384 in areleasable and reinstallable manner. The threaded fastener 384constitutes a holding member. The threaded fastener 384 (e.g., theholding member) prevents both rotational movement of the wheel securingadapter 382 with respect to the bicycle fork 16 and axial movement ofthe wheel securing adapter 382 with respect to the bicycle fork 16 alongan axis of the axle mounting bore 380 when the threaded fastener 384(e.g., the holding member) is in a retaining position. The threadedfastener 384 (e.g., the holding member) is selectively movable betweenthe retaining position and a releasing position by threading thethreaded fastener 384 into or out of a threaded hole 385 in the outertube 374 (e.g., the axle support portion). Thus, the threaded fastener384 (e.g., the holding member) is operatively coupled between the wheelsecuring adapter 382 and the outer tube 374 (e.g., the axle supportportion) to selectively hold the wheel securing adapter 382 in apredetermined orientations with respect to the outer tube 374 (e.g., theaxle support portion).

In this embodiment, the threaded fastener 384 (e.g., the holding member)includes a bolt with a threaded shaft 384 a and an enlarged head 384 b.The threaded fastener 384 (e.g., the holding member) also includes awasher 384 c positioned on the threaded shaft 384 a of the bolt. Thethreaded shaft 384 a of the bolt constitutes an attachment portion ofthe holding member. The washer 384 c constitutes an engagement portionof the holding member.

The wheel securing adapter 382 includes a threaded axle mounting opening386 and an outer circumferential surface 388 that is rotatablyadjustable within the enlarged section 380 a (e.g., the adapterreceiving bore) of the outer tube 374 (e.g., the axle support portion).In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surface 388 of the wheelsecuring adapter 382 has a plurality of grooves or recesses 390. Thethreaded fastener 384 (e.g., the holding member) selectively engages therecesses 390 (i.e., three at a time) to selectively hold the wheelsecuring adapter 382 in one of a plurality of predetermined orientationsbased on which one of the recesses 390 is engaged with the threadedfastener 384 (e.g., the holding member). In particular, when thethreaded fastener 384 is in the retaining position, the washer 384 c(e.g., the engagement portion) of the threaded fastener 384 (e.g., theholding member) engages the axial end face of the wheel securing adapter382 to prevent the axial movement of the wheel securing adapter 382 andengages a plurality of the circumferentially spaced recesses 390 of theaxially projecting part 389 of the wheel securing adapter 382 to preventthe rotational movement of the wheel securing adapter 382. In thisembodiment, the axial end face of the wheel securing adapter 382includes two offset surfaces. The axially facing surface of the wheelsecuring adapter 382 that is engaged with the washer 384 c (theengagement portion) is at least a partially visible surface as viewedalong the axial direction of the threaded axle mounting opening 386while the washer 384 c is in the releasing position.

Since the outer circumferential surface 388 of the wheel securingadapter 382 is cylindrical without any splines or threads along anentire axial length of the outer circumferential surface 388, the wheelsecuring adapter 382 is freely rotatable within the enlarged section 380a (e.g., the adapter receiving bore) without moving axially with respectto the front fork 16, when the threaded fastener 384 (e.g., the holdingmember) is in the releasing position.

Fifth Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, a modified wheel securing structure412 in accordance with a fifth embodiment will now be explained. Thewheel securing structure 412 of this fifth embodiment basically includesa modified outer tube 474, a modified wheel securing adapter 482, and amodified threaded fastener 484. The wheel securing adapter 482 is aone-piece, unitary member that is formed of a hard rigid material.Preferably, the material of the wheel securing adapter 482 is harderthan the material of the outer tube 474. The outer tube 474 isincorporated into the front fork 16 of the first embodiment by replacingthe outer tube 74 of the first embodiment in the front fork 16 with theouter tube 474. Thus, the rest of the parts of the front fork 16illustrated in the first embodiment are used with this embodiment.

The lower end of the outer tube 474 of the fork leg of the front fork 16includes an axle mounting opening or bore 480. The axle mounting bore480 receives the wheel securing adapter 482 for securing the skewer 44of the hub 30 of the first embodiment thereto in the same manner as thefirst embodiment, but using the wheel securing adapter 482 instead ofthe wheel securing adapter 82. The axle mounting bore 480 has astep-shaped configuration with an enlarged section 480 a and a reducedsection (not shown), each of which are unthreaded. The enlarged section480 a of the outer tube 474 constitutes an adapter receiving bore of thebicycle fork 16.

The wheel securing adapter 482 is secured in the enlarged section 480 aof the axle mounting bore 480 by the threaded fastener 484 in areleasable and reinstallable manner. The threaded fastener 484 preventsaxial movement of the wheel securing adapter 482 with respect to thebicycle fork 16 along an axis of the axle mounting bore 480 when thethreaded fastener 484 is in a retaining position. The threaded fastener484 is selectively movable between the retaining position and areleasing position by threading the threaded fastener 484 into or out ofa threaded hole 485 in the outer tube 474. Thus, the threaded fastener484 is operatively coupled between the wheel securing adapter 482 andthe outer tube 474 to selectively hold the wheel securing adapter 482 ina predetermined orientations with respect to the outer tube 474 (e.g.,the axle support portion).

In this embodiment, the threaded fastener 484 includes a bolt with athreaded shaft 484 a and an enlarged head 484 b. The threaded fastener484 also includes a washer 484 c positioned on the threaded shaft 484 aof the bolt.

The wheel securing adapter 482 includes a threaded axle mounting opening486 and an outer circumferential surface 488 that is adjustable withinthe enlarged section 480 a of the outer tube 474. In this embodiment,the outer circumferential surface 488 of the wheel securing adapter 482has a plurality of flat surfaces for changing the orientation of thewheel securing adapter 482. The washer 484 c of the threaded fastener484 engages the axial end face of the wheel securing adapter 482 toprevent the axial movement of the wheel securing adapter 482. Twoabutments 492 are provided on the lower end of the outer tube 474 toprevent the washer 484 c of the threaded fastener 484 from rotating.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. As used herein to describe thepresent invention, the following directional terms “forward, rearward,above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well asany other similar directional terms refer to those directions of abicycle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms,as utilized to describe a bicycle wheel securing structure should beinterpreted relative to a bicycle equipped with a bicycle wheel securingstructure as used in the normal riding position. Finally, terms ofdegree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as usedherein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term suchthat the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A bicycle wheel securing structure comprising: a bicycle fork havinga pair of axle support portions that are spaced apart to receive abicycle hub therebetween and with one of the axle support portionshaving an adapter receiving bore; an adapter disposed in the adapterreceiving bore in one of the axle support portions, with the adapterincluding a threaded axle mounting opening, an axially facing surfacethat faces in an axial direction of the threaded axle mounting opening,and an outer circumferential surface; and a holding member operativelycoupled between the adapter and the one of the axle support portionswith the adapter, the holding member including an attachment portionthat is attached to the bicycle fork, and an engagement portion that isselectively movable between a retaining position and a releasingposition, the engagement portion prevents both rotational movement ofthe adapter with respect to the bicycle fork and axial movement of theadapter with respect to the bicycle fork along an axis of the axlemounting opening while the holding member is in the retaining positionwith the engagement portion contacting the axially facing surface of theadapter to prevent the axial movement of the adapter, the axially facingsurface being a visible surface as viewed along the axial direction ofthe threaded axle mounting opening from one axial end face of theadapter while the holding member is in the releasing position, and theadapter being rotatable within the adapter receiving bore without movingaxially with respect to the bicycle fork while the holding member is inthe releasing position.
 2. The bicycle wheel securing structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the axially facing surface of the adapterhas an axially projecting part extending axially from the axially facingsurface of the adapter such that the engagement portion engages a sidesurface of the axially projecting part of the adapter to prevent therotational movement of the adapter while the engagement portion of theholding member is in the retaining position.
 3. The bicycle wheelsecuring structure according to claim 1, wherein the outercircumferential surface of the adapter includes a plurality of recesseswith the engagement portion of the holding member being engaged at leastone of the recesses to selectively hold the adapter in one of thepredetermined orientations based on which one of the recesses is engagedwith the holding member while the engagement portion of the holdingmember is in the retaining position.
 4. The bicycle wheel securingstructure according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion of theholding member includes a threaded fastener.
 5. The bicycle wheelsecuring structure according to claim 1, wherein the holding memberremains attached to the one of the axle support portions while theengagement portion of the holder is in the retaining position and whilethe engagement portion of the holder is in the releasing position. 6.The bicycle wheel securing structure according to claim 1, wherein theouter circumferential surface of the second portion of the adapter isnon-threaded along an entire axial length of the outer circumferentialsurface.
 7. The bicycle wheel securing structure according to claim 1,wherein the holding member includes a bolt with a threaded shaft of thebolt forming the attachment portion of the holding member, and a washerforming the engagement portion of the holding member.
 8. The bicyclewheel securing structure according to claim 7, wherein the axiallyfacing surface of the adapter has an axially projecting part extendingaxially from the axially facing surface of the adapter such that theengagement portion engages a side surface of the axially projecting partof the adapter to prevent the rotational movement of the adapter whilethe engagement portion of the holding member is in the retainingposition.
 9. The bicycle wheel securing structure according to claim 8,wherein the axially projecting part has a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced recesses that selectively receives the washer.
 10. The bicyclewheel securing structure according to claim 9, wherein the washerengages two or more of the recesses of the axially projecting part whilethe holding member is in the retaining position.